After a win, a loss and a rainy tie game, the Cyclones are looking for a change in their luck.

The ISU softball team has taken on a double header against South Dakota on April 22 followed by a highly anticipated game in the Cy-Hawk Series on April 23. 

The Cyclones have played their the last nine games at home. They have lost five of their past home games, won three and have tied one. This weekend the Cyclones are scheduled to travel to Lubbock, Texas to take on Texas Tech.

“I think were more prepared going into [Texas] Tech. We’ve had a few good practices and bringing that into games and just doing what we know how to do and execute,” said sophomore outfielder Aly Cappaert.

The Red Raiders have been named three times already this season as Big 12 pitchers of the week.

Texas Tech pitcher Gretchen Aucoin was named twice already this season as the Big 12 pitcher. She was named this week as well as March 26.

The other TTU pitcher to be named Big 12 pitcher of the week so far this season was Brittany Talley opening week February 11.

However, this does not phase the Cyclones going into the three game series against the Red Raiders said ISU coach Stacy Gemeinhardt-Cesler.

“I think they have some decent speed. I think they’re scrappy,” Gemeinhardt-Cesler said. “Their pitchers have been throwing pretty well lately so I just think we need to go in and have good at bats and solid defense and let it rip.”

Junior shortstop Lexi Slater is looking for this game against Texas Tech to be a challenging but aggressive game.

“They still throw a lot so I’m looking for aggressiveness, fast runners which we got to keep them off the bases. And when they are on the bases try to pick them off,” Slater said.

Gemeinhardt-Cesler said her team is contently working to get ahead of the TTU offense.

Starting freshman pitcher Katie Johnson has been sick the past few weeks and unable to pitch. She made her first appearance after her illness during the first game against South Dakota on April 22.

“I think with Katie [Johnson] day to day its good to see her throw. She’s still got to get better and that’s going to take some time,” Gemeinhardt-Cesler said. “We just have to figure out how we’re going to throw our pitchers and in what order to see what gives us the best chance to win.”

Iowa State will take on Texas Tech in a three game series starting 7 p.m. April 25.

“We need to get our head straight, realize that we need our runners over when we have no outs. We need to realize we need to hit to the right side when we have runners on base. Go back to the basics,” Slater said.